The benefits for you

Our services

Determination of the maximum explosion pressure and the maximum rate of pressure increase (K value)

Determination of the lower and upper explosion limits

Determination of the minimum ignition energy for a dust explosion

Determination of the limiting oxygen concentration

Determination of the electrical resistivity of powders

Determination of ignition temperature

Determination of thermal stability

Determination of smoldering temperature

Determination of the impact sensitivity

Determination of the friction sensitivity

Special tests: Determination of the physical properties of solvents, solvent mixtures, emulsions and suspensions

Application

Most databases on the physical properties of solvents contain only little information, and as a rule this only covers selected products such as acetone, methanol, etc. Plant operators using mixtures of solvents, or less known solvents, simply do not have the information necessary to conduct the process in a safe way.

The benefit to you

All tests for safety-relevant physical properties are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.

Our services

Determination of the lower and upper explosion limits, explosion points

Determination of the maximum explosion pressure and the maximum rate of pressure increase (K value)

Determination of the limiting oxygen concentration

Determination of conductivity

Determination of the vapor pressure curve

Special tests: Tests For Highly Toxic or Highly Active Substances

Many standard methods for safety tests of chemicals involve open handling of substance. For highly toxic or highly active substances, new test methods and equipment are therefore necessary.

TÜV SÜD Process Safety has developed such test methods and has validated them against acknowledged standards.

Traditional Hartmanntube

Closed Hartmanntube

During the test using test methods the substances are completely enclosed. The transfer of the sample into the test equipment or sample tubes is done under laminar flow conditions in special laboratory work stations. After the test, the substance is either burned directly inside the equipment, washed out in place or the sample tube is sent for incineration without opening.

Innovative Tools for the Friction Test

Problem:

Sparks are observed even in the absence of any test material in the friction test according to Annex V of the EU Directive 67/548. Yellow/brown traces are found on the friction plates and a "smoke"-odour is perceived.

These artefacts may lead to false assessments of the friction test, i.e. solids will show flame reactions, which due to their stability do not have the potential to react under mechanical stress. Artefacts were found in particular when testing substances with a melting point below 130°C.

Solution:

In collaboration with FRIATEC ceramic friction tools made of SiO2-free material have been developed. These tools are essentially spark-free, without jeopardizing the sensitivity of the test.The figures below shown artefacts for samples 1 and 2, when using conventional porcelain tools (left). With the new ceramic tools these artefacts have disappeared. When testing friction sensitive materials, the flame reaction appears also with the new ceramics (sample 3).